Dispositional antecedents, job correlates and performance outcomes of entrepreneurs' risk taking

The study is fourth in a series of studies on the risk taking propensity of entrepreneurs, a topic that generated great controversy in the scientific literature. On a macro cultural level, the first study demonstrated the role of culture in promoting values such as entrepreneurship and risk taking. On a mezzo occupational level, the second study demonstrated the differences between high-tech entrepreneurs and managers in traits such as risk taking. On a micro individual level the third study demonstrated the influences of childhood experiences of entrepreneurs on the development of personality traits such as risk taking. Based on Person-Job fit theory and on Trait Activation theory, the current study demonstrated the relationship between certain dispositional antecedents (personality dimensions), occupational correlates (novelty and technological uncertainty of ventures) and performance consequences (certain aspects of venture success) and high-tech entrepreneurs' risk taking tendencies. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.